Mike Napoli moves to bench: 'I don't want to do more harm than good'

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Texas Rangers first baseman Mike Napoli (5) is pictured during the Detroit Tigers vs. the Texas Rangers major league baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Tuesday, August 15, 2017. (Louis DeLuca/The Dallas Morning News)

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- With the Rangers five games out of a playoff spot, his ankle throbbing and his batting average continuing to sink, Mike Napoli acknowledged Friday he expects his role with the team to change for the final 15 games of the season.

After missing three games while he and the Rangers sorted through the diagnosis and prognosis for a stress reaction in his right ankle, Napoli returned to the lineup Thursday and struck out in a pair of at-bats before being replaced at first by Ryan Rua. He was out of the lineup again Friday and likely won't start again regularly.

Manager Jeff Banister said Napoli came by his office Friday to explain he was unable to play regularly on the ankle.

"Yes, I think it's changed," Napoli said when asked about his role. "I'm not 100 percent healthy. I don't want to put us in a situation where I'm doing us more harm than good because I'm trying to gut it out. I want us to be able to win. I don't want to things that will hurt us.

"We're going to use our best judgment and communicate and do what is best for the team going forward," he added.

Said Banister: "There is a certain investment these players make. They give everything they can to the club and you want give them the opportunity to go out and play and be a part of the team. Mike Napoli is one of those kinds of guys. In an unselfish manner, he came in and said he couldn't do it on an everyday basis."

Napoli is hitting .193 with 29 home runs in 485 plate appearances. It is the lowest batting average among MLB qualifiers, though he would fall short of qualifying if he doesn't reach 502 plate appearances by season's end.

The Rangers on Friday played Joey Gallo at first base against Los Angeles. Gallo and Rua would likely get the majority of the at-bats at first base the rest of the way.

"I haven't lived up to my expectations," said Napoli, who will be a free agent at the end of the season since the Rangers aren't likely to pick up his contract option for 2018. "I wanted to contribute on a regular basis, but it hasn't worked out that way. But I know every time I stepped on the field, I was prepared. I worked hard."